SHANGHAI: Mainland Chinese shares ended lower on Wednesday, as extreme weather in some parts of the country added uncertainty to economic recovery from COVID-19 shocks, while signs of fresh crackdown on tech firms and the platform economy hurt the Hong Kong market.
At the market close, the Shanghai Composite Index closed down 1.2% at 3,267.2 points, while the blue-chip CSI 300 index lost 1.27% to 4,270.62.
The financial sector sub-index edged down 1.48%, the consumer staples sector eased 0.54%, while the real estate index fell 1.65%.
Hong Kong’s benchmark Hang Seng index dropped 2.56% to 21,008.34 points at the close, while the Hong Kong China Enterprises Index lost 2.84%.
Heat waves in northern and central China drove up electricity demand to record levels as millions switched on air conditioners to escape the sweltering conditions, while floodwaters in the south submerged villages and trapped city residents.
While some investors were worried that the flood could prompt supply chain disruptions, a latest UBS survey of 507 senior corporate executives conducted in April and May showed that COVID disruptions have caused more negative impact on business than that in 2021, the bank said in a note.
“Respondents reported softer outlook in H2/2022 with expectation for slower sales growth, lower profit margin, weaker domestic and export orders.” Some traders and analysts said markets will pay close attention to June economic indicators to gauge the pace of economic recovery, after the financial hub of Shanghai lifted its two-month long lockdown at the start of this month. In Hong Kong, shares snapped a three-day rally, pressured by fresh investor worries over a clampdown on tech firms, while global growth prospects, stubbornly high inflation and tighter financial conditions also hurt sentiment. The tech sector was among the biggest loser, with Hang Seng Tech Index plunging 4.37%, after regulators sought public consultation on potentially banning third-party pharmaceutical e-commerce platforms from online drug sales.
Shares of pharmaceutical e-commerce platform operator Alibaba Health Information Technology Ltd closed down 13.85% at HK$4.79, and its rival JD Health International Inc tumbled 14.84% to HK$53.4.
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